Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District School Performance Profile Update

The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District is pleased to present the 2024 Iowa School Performance Profiles. This profile provides insight into each school’s performance based on the unified accountability system under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Iowa’s system sets consistent academic expectations for all students, uses evidence-based practices, and provides support for schools needing improvement.

New Accountability System and Performance Ratings

Under the 2024 accountability model, each school is assigned a rating based on an Overall Performance Score. This score reflects multiple core indicators, including academic proficiency, student growth, graduation rates (high school), English language proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and postsecondary readiness (high school). Schools earn a rating based on the percentage of points they achieve relative to a maximum score (700 points for elementary and middle schools, 900 for high schools). The ratings categories are as follows:

Rating Category	% of Points Earned	Elementary/Middle School Points Earned	High School Points Earned
Exceptional	78.25%+	547.75 and above	704.25 and above
High Performing	69.60% – 78.24%	487.20 – 547.74	626.40 – 704.24
Commendable	60.95% – 69.59%	426.65 – 487.19	548.55 – 626.39
Acceptable	52.30% – 60.94%	366.10 – 426.64	470.70 – 548.54
Needs Improvement	42.37% – 52.29%	296.59 – 366.09	381.33 – 470.69
Priority/Comprehensive	42.36% and below	296.58 and below	381.32 and below

Vinton-Shellsburg Schools Performance Ratings

Each VSCSD school has been rated based on these scoring criteria:

Shellsburg Elementary School (Grades K–5): Commendable
- Score: 431.53
- Rating: Commendable
  Shellsburg Elementary performed well, achieving a commendable rating, which reflects strength in both student proficiency and growth metrics.
Tilford Elementary School (Grades K–4): Acceptable
- Score: 417.94
- Rating: Acceptable
  Tilford Elementary achieved an acceptable rating, signifying steady progress and identifying areas for continued focus on proficiency growth.
Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School (Grades 6–8): Commendable
- Score: 445.57
- Rating: Commendable
  The middle school’s commendable rating highlights consistent academic achievement and student growth.
Vinton-Shellsburg High School (Grades 9–12): Needs Improvement
- Score: 538.35
- Rating: Needs Improvement
  Vinton-Shellsburg High School received a “Needs Improvement” rating. Targeted support in Year 1 will address specific student group needs and academic growth to enhance outcomes. Note: V-S High School actually scored at the Acceptable level but because there was a targeted subgroup, the whole school was moved down a category as designated by the state of Iowa Department of Education.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District’s performance profile includes an overview of multiple indicators that contribute to our accountability score. The data below compares the district’s outcomes against the state average in each category, showcasing the strengths of our district and areas for targeted growth. This comprehensive view reflects data for student groups with 20 or more students (N ≥ 20), ensuring robust accountability.

Performance Indicator	District	State Average
Assessment Participation
Science	98.57%	99.09%
Mathematics	98.82%	99.49%
English Language Arts	98.90%	99.49%
Composite	98.82%	99.43%
Attendance and Absenteeism
Attendance Growth	2.18%	0.22%
Chronic Absenteeism	21.63%	26.15%
Graduation Rates
Graduation Rate (4 Years)	87.46%	88.70%
Graduation Rate (5 Years)	89.65%	87.07%
Academic Growth
Growth in Mathematics	50%	50%
Growth in English Language Arts	50%	53%
Proficiency
Percent Proficient in Mathematics	69.81%	77.62%
Percent Proficient in English Language Arts	72.72%	80.42%
Percent Proficient in Science	61.55%	72.05%
Postsecondary Readiness
College Credit Attainment	68.99%	71.43%
Work-Based Learning Participation	25.47%	21.90%

Key Highlights and Areas for Improvement

Strong Participation Rates: Assessment participation rates for science, mathematics, and English Language Arts are all above 98%, nearly aligning with state averages.
Chronic Absenteeism: Our district has made this area a focus for the school year.
Graduation Rates: Vinton-Shellsburg’s 5-year graduation rate of 89.65% exceeds the state’s 87.07%, indicating effective support for students needing additional time to complete high school.
Growth in Mathematics and English Language Arts: The district maintains a steady growth rate in these subjects, but will focus on targeted strategies to exceed the state average, particularly in mathematics.
Proficiency and Postsecondary Readiness: While the district shows strong proficiency rates, there is room for improvement in mathematics, English Language Arts, and science to match or exceed state averages. Postsecondary readiness data show strong college credit attainment, though slight gains in work-based learning participation could enhance career preparedness.

This data informs our continuous improvement efforts as we aim to meet and surpass state benchmarks, ensuring that every Vinton-Shellsburg student is equipped for academic success and future opportunities.

ESSA-Driven Support and Goals for Improvement

Schools identified under the Comprehensive or Targeted Support categories will receive additional support and monitoring to enhance student achievement. VSCSD’s approach aligns with Iowa’s commitment to transparency, improvement, and community engagement. For more detailed information on the Iowa School Performance Profiles, visit www.iaschoolperformance.gov.

VSCSD remains dedicated to fostering a learning environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed and reach their fullest potential. We look forward to continuing our efforts to meet and exceed the expectations set forth in Iowa’s educational accountability system.